The Florida Rifle - Work in Progress (several months before completion!)

Here are the early stages of this beautiful rifle. From concept to completion - a true work of art!

A New Rifle from Jud - A "Southern Rifle" with roots in FLORIDA!

A brand new offering from Jud's bench - made especially for a good friend and fellow CLA exhibitor.

Jud was given a broad canvas: "build a Southern Rifle" and always the trailblazer, Jud decided to imagine and build something that has not been seen before - A Florida Rifle. Jud drew inspiration from this historic painting of Osceola supplied by Robert Weil. And drawing on his research of existing Floridian Art and Legends, he built, carved and engraved the rifle shown here, incorporating many of the motifs and stylistic flourishes associated with Florida.

In the words of Robert Weil, "what makes this rifle unique is it's a narrative inspired work from a folk art painting! who does this?? the motifs place it in the south.  it's not a copy, it's an original. it's not overdone. it flows."

This series of photographs depict the finished rifle, right before it was shipped to its new owner. A few "In progress" photos, taken earlier this year, will be featured in a soon to follow post.